Lubricator.



-PATENTBD APR. 9, 1907.

No. 849,966. 1 I A a. w. BLANK.

LUBRIGATOR. APPLIOATION FILED 1111,16, 1'90! 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES X4 No. 849,966 PATENTED APR. 9, 1907.

G. WKBLANK. LUBRIGATOR.

APPLIOATIGN FILED JAN. 16, 1907.

4 SHEETSSHEETS.

" S- i I [NVZJNTOR 11%55; I d

Alfomeys srarns 'rnn'r orrron.

GEORGE w. BLANK, or WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

Lu si'oA-ros.

Specification of Letters Patent.

ratented A r l's, 1907.

Application filed January 15,1907- erial No. 352,341.

.To (LU whom it may concern;

;.Be it known that LGEoReE W. BLANK, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, re-

siding at Wilkinsbur in the county of Allegheny and State of enns lvania, have invented certain new'an'd use ullm rovements" I in Lubricators, of which-the f owing is a speclfication, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This mvention relates to lubricators; and

heinventionhas for its object to provide an automatically-operated lubricator for the curved tracks of street-railway systems.

My invention aims to provide a novel form of lubricator. for automatically oiling or greasing the rails of curved tracks, and in this connection my invention is particularly designed for street-railway systems, where the curved tracks have heretofore been man-- ually lubricated, thus incurring considerable To this end my invenlaborand expense. tion involves positive and reliable means for effecting at predetermined times a perfect lubrication of the guard-flanges of curved rails and in this manner produces a considerable saving of wear and tear upon the rollingstock of street railway systems.

The invention embodies a novel form of combined lubricant-reservoir and lubricantdischarging means, together with novel means for distributing the lubricant-at intermediate points upon the curved tracks of railways. In connection with the discharging meansI have devised a'novel actuated mechanism and timing mechanism which is easily andquickly operated to distribute a quantity of lubricant at predetermined times.

An important feature of my invention resides in providing a central lubricant-distributing station for simultaneously lubricating a plurality of intersecting tracks irrespective of atmospheric conditions,

Another feature of my invention resides in the mankler in which the lubricatoris auto-v matically operated, so that after being properly set it' requires no attention Whatever on the part'of a car operator or attendant except when the lubricant within .the reservoir has become exhausted.

l/Vith these and other objects in view, which will more readily appear as the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination, and

arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more part of the lubricator.

line a a of Fig. 15.-

out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings forming part of this specification, like numerals of. reference designate corresponding parts' throughout 'th 9 several views, in wliich F igu-re l is a diagrammatic'view-of a plurality of intersectin tracks, representing the various curves use by railway system at the intersection of fron tour to eight street car lines. Fig.2 is a cross-sectional view of fully'described and then specifically pointeda rail, illustrating a tube. connection therewith. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a rail, illustrating the actuating point or projection of my improved lubricator. Fig. dis aperspective view of a portion of a rail constructed to accommodate the actuatingpoint or projection of the lubricator. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a-railway-track equipped with a lubric ator. Fig. 6 is an end view of the lubricator as supported between two ties or sleepers. F ig.' 7 is a longitudinal elevation. Fig. 8 is a plan of the lubricatorcasing, illustrating the mechanism thereof in plan. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the lubricator. Fig. 10 is a plan, partly in section, of a locking mechanism comprising a Fig.- 11 is a perspectlve view of a gripping-block forming part'of the lubri iator. Fig. 12 .is a perspective view of the gripping-block-actuating dog. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line ac a; of Fig. 9 looking in the directiorr. of the arrow A of said figure. Fig. 14. is a perspectiye view of the plunger-actuating dog of my improved lubricaton, Fig .15 is a longitudinal sectional'view of a portion of a lubricator, illustrating a modified form of construction. Fig. 16 is a c.oss-sectionai view taken on the line or m of Fig 15. Fi -17 is a similar view taken on the line It n of ig. 15. Fig. 18 is a similar view taken on the In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated the intersection of a plurality of" tracks comprising rails 1', (see Figs. 1 to 6, in

elusive and-between two of said tracks I have located my improved lubricator, the

lubricator being so placed thatv a lubricantcan be easily distributed to the curved railsof the intersecting tracks. -The lubrrcator comprises a rectangular casing 2, having a i l r ,sectional view ofa lubricator-casing, illustrating the interior mechanism thereof in The top plate 7 of the casing is roughened or r of the hood and incasing the tubes 19 as tubes 19 from frost, ice, and cold air or which extends through the opening 16 of the base. 3, side walls 4, end walls 5 andfi, and a top plate or cover 7. The side walls t are provided with. longitudinally-disposed cleats 8, whereby theluhricator-casing can be suported between two ties or sleepers 9 and etween the innermost rails 1 of two tracks.

corrugated, as at 10, to prevent animals and persons from slipping u )OII the same.

In one end of the lubricatoncasing and upon the base 3 is mounted a bracket 11, and upon said bracket is secured aluhricantreservoir comprising a rectangular shell 12 having a" cylindrical chamber 14. One end of the shell 12 is providedwith a detachable head 15, having a central 0 )ening 16, while the op ositeend of the shell 12 is provided with a and 17, having a plurality of openings 18 formed therein. In each of the openings .18 is mounted a grease or oil conveying tube 19, which extends through a hood 20, carried by the end wall 6. The oil or grease conveying tubes 1.9 branch out to the curved rails of the streetqailway tracks, said tubes entering openings 21, formed in the uard-flanges 22 of t erails 1. (See Fig. 2.) T e tubes 19 are incase'd withintuhes 23 'of a greater diameter, said tubes 23 communicating with the interior for as the guard-flanges 22 of the rails. The tubes 23 are employed for protecting the ground that would have a tendency to freeze and coagulate the contents of the tubes 19. To maintain the contents of the tubes 1 9 in a fluent condition, I use a suitable heating medium 24, as a gas-burner or lamp, which is located in close proximity to the shell or reservoir 12 and the hood 20. 1 The top of the shell or reservoir is provided with an opening 25, in which is mounted an interiorly-screwthreaded funnel 26, which is normally closed by a screw 27.

In the chamber 1740f the shellor reservoir 1 2 is slidably mounted a plunger-headlS, having suitable packing-rings 29. Thehead 28 carrise a, rearwardly extending longer 30,

shell-head 15. The plunger is substantially rectangularin cross-section and upon its sides is provided with guidavavs 31, while its upper edge is provided with teeth 32. Sliding over the plunger 30 is a casing 33, having a solid end 34, )rovided with a threaded stem 35. The solid and 34 is provided with a longitudinally-dis )osed opening 36 to receive a cable 37, attached at its inner end to the end of the plunger 30, as at 38.

The threaded stem of the casing 33 is connected by a turnbuckle 30 to an angular actuating-arm 40, which extends-tl'iroughan opening 4i, formed in the end wall 5 ol' the hi hricator-casing, and is provided with an a t 11 sling; point or projection 42. Thisv point or projection is adapted to extend through a slot l aaaaee 43, formed in the guard-flan e 22 of a rail, (see Fig.4,) whereby the l ange of a carwheel will engage the point or projection and actuate the arm 40 to move the casing 33 of the mechanism of the lubricator.

The casing adjacent its forward, or end adjacent the lubricant reservoir, is provided in the upper face with an opening 44. (Earried by said casing adjacent to said opening are guide-pins and pierced lugs 46. Slidahly mounted upon the guide-pins 45 is a gripping-block 47, said block having a depen ing portion 48 fitting within the opening 44 of the casing 33, and said depending portion is provided with a transverse tooth 49 to engage the teeth 32 of the plunger 30 at prcdetermined times. also provided with an. upwardly-extending yoke 50, this yoke being employed to support the gripping-block in an inoperative position. To reinforce the action of gravity in carrying the gripping-block into engagement with the The gripping-block is plunger 30, l employ a spring 5], said spring being mounted between the pierced lugs 46 and bearing upon the upper surface of the gri ping-hlock. The casing 33 18 also pro vir ed adjacent its forward end, in its underaftermedium of the spur-wheel 60, which is actuated by the pawlje. ,The head 15' of the shell or reservoir 12 is provided with two rearwardlyoxtending frames 63 and 64, these frames being provided with. hook- The shaft 53 has a Ipartial ion .Upon said shafts are The shaped ends to engage in slots 66,10rmedin-the sides oi the casing The hook shaped ends 65 of the frames 63 arid 64 are employed to limit the mo'vementpf the easing 33, and in order that said casmg'may be normally held in a retracted position 1 interpose a coiled sprin 67 between the casing 33 and the head 15 0 the reservoir or shell 12.

Upon the frame 63 is mounted a hracketfiS, having parallel arms 69, in which is mounted a vertically-moving dog 70, The d g 70 provided with an outwardlv'exten ng pm 71, adapted to engage in the yoke 50 and normally holds said yoke in an elevated position. The end of the dog 70 contacts with only moved when said dog recedes into the notch 62 of said wheel. The head 1:; of the the periphery of the time-wheel 6], which is r saaeee reservoir or shell 12 is also provided with a,-

\ plunger-brake mechanism consisting of a piv-f oted lever 72, which bears upon the upper surface of the plunger and prevents arearward movement of the plunger after "the same has been moved forward to force the lubricant contained within the lubricant-chamber 14 passes out of engagement with said tooth of'a hand-wheel 74; and the movement of said the. tension of which of the shell into the tubes 19. Since said lever is pivoted, it'will rock or swing on its pivotand the lower end thereof will b'ecarried forward with the plunger until it asses the tooth on which it was resting am as it will swing back to a substantially vertical position in back of said tooth and lock the flange against rearward movement.

The cable 37, heretofore referred to, for moving the plunger 30 rearwardly from the lubricant-reservoir is used in connection with a drum 7-3, journaled between two bearings 72*, mounted upon the basel of the lubricator-casin'g adjacent to the end plate 5. The drum 73 is revolved through the medium drum is controlled by a spring-held pin 75,

is regulated by a thumbscrew 76. 1

Operation: When it is desired to place In improved. lubricator in oper ation; the atten ant of the lubricator removes the lid or cover 10 of the lubricator-casing and removes the screw 27 from the funnel 26 of the reservoir 'movement of the plunger entirely depends on the number of notches formed in the periphery of the time-wheeL: Inthe present instance I have illustrated one notch rhich is adapted to release the gripping-bloc 47 at each revolution of the time-wheel; but it is obvious that the time-wheel may lie provided with a plurality of notches, whereby if the traffic is heavy'upon a certain curved track the "same can be more frequently lubricated. Assuming that cars are traveling over the tracks illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the flange of each car-wheel as said wheels ride upon one of the rails will move the actuating point or projection 42 of the actuating-arm. 40 and force said point or projcetion inwardly until the casing 33 has been -moved forivardly or toward the lubricantrin H7/under tension.

reservoir a certain distance and placed the I The forward move meut of the ,casingSfi causes the pawl 54'to engage the spur-wheel and partially rotate said wheel. The samemotion imparted to the wheel 60 is im arted to the time-whee} 61 through the me ium of the shafts 57 and- 58 and s'pur-wheelsjQ. After thepawl has actuated the wheel-60 the crank-arm .55

returns the pawl to its normal position, caused by said arm 55 riding back on shaft 57 .'that is, with the up er end 77 of said pawl engaging the underneath surface of'the plunger 30. The actuating-point 42 is moved quite a number of times before the time-wheel 61 has Completed one revolution to place the notch 62 of said wheel in close proximity to the dog 70. Immediately-u on the notch 62 reaching the dog the .og descends by gravity 1 and allows the spring-pressed gripping-block.

47 to drop into engagement with the teez'h 32 of the plunger 30. As the depending portion of said gripping-block engagesv in the opening 44 of the casing 33 the next movement of the actuating point or projection 42 by the flange of acar-wheel will cause the casing 33 to move the gripping-block 47 forward, and as the tooth 49 of said block engages the. teethof the plunger 30 said plunger'and its head will be'moved forward and force a certain nantity of lubricant intothe tubes 19, it obvious that after the tubes'have oncebeen filled with the lubricant that said lubricant will be forced from theopposite end of the ,4

tube onto the guard-flange 22' of a rail. Immedflately upon the flange of a wheel releasin'g .h'e actuating point or projection 42 the spring 67, which has been placed under tenslon will returnthe casing 33 to; its normal posi ion, and as the casing recedes the grip- ;pin -block is also carried rearwardly, and

upo. r the oint or projection .42 again being actuated t e time-wheel fil, will elevate the;

dog .70 and the gripping block 4L7.- This is accomplished through the beveled surface of the notch 62 engaging the beveled end of the dog'70. The gripping-block 47 and the plunger 30 remain inactive until the time-wheel has again completed a revolution, at which n.

time the plunger 30 is moved forward and ejects a certain quantity of lubricant from the lubricant-chamber l i. The attendrnt of the lubricator can readily determine by the number of cars passing over the track and the 1 number of notches in the time-wheel Slap- )roximately when the lubr cant chamber 1;: has been emptied and canvreadily rcfillihe same' This is accompl shed by removing the lid or cover 10, the screw 27, and returning the plunger 30 to its'normal position, 5's heretofore stated.

In Figs. 15 to 18,"inclusive, I have illus-. trated a slight v modification wherein the cable 37 and drum 73 are dispensed with. In lieu of these elements I provide the underneath face of the plungerBO with teeth or a rack 78, and meshing with said teeth or rack is a pinion 79,journaled between the bearings 72 and actuatedby the hand- "lid:

wheel 74. In this modified. form'ol construction it willofcourse be understood that the plunger 30,15 made of a suflicieut length to a low for its movement, the length being: up irmzinmtcly the some as the plunger and cable illustrotedin Fig. l) of the drowings.

From the'foregoing (lGSCI'lPtlOII, taken in connection with the drawings, it will be ob served that I have devised a novel eutometicullwactuated iubricator wl'iich with little or no expense can be installed upon the present systems of strect rnilways, In connection with the lubricator I do not care to confine myself to the heating medium used for maintaining" the lubricant in a fluent condition or to the minor details of construction entering into my invention. Such other changes :zs'are permissible by the appended claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit; and scope 2f the invention.

Vl hat I claim, and dosh to secure by Lct tore Patent, is--- 1. In a lubricator, lic combination with curved track of a in bricator-casing mounted between said trucks, a reservoir carried Within said casing, a plurality of tubes connecting said reservoir with the rails of said tracks, protecting-tubes surroumlin the first-menti oncd tubes, at plungcnhoad mounted within said reservoir for forcing the contents thereof into the first-mentioned tubes, a toothed plunger carried by said head, a reciprocatory LIX casing mounted upon said plunger, an actuating-arm connected to the end of said plunger-and protruding outside of said casing and into one of the rails of said tracks, a grippingblock movably mounted in said casing and normally supported above said plunger. a timing mechanism actuated by said casing and adapted to relieve said gripping-blockto move said plunger, moans lo cited in said casing for moving said plunger rearwardly, means located within said casing for l'lcuring the contents of said reservoir and said tubes, and means whereby easy access may be had to said reservoir-cosing, substantially as diescribed. v 'A 2. In a lubricator, the combination with tracks, of a lubricator-casing mounted between said tracks, a lullricant-reservoir located in said casing, lubricant-conveying tubes connecting said reservoir with the rails of said tracks 'and protecting-tubes surrounding said conveying-tubes, a plungerhead mounted in said reservoir, a toothed plunger carried thereby, a reciprocatory cusing mounted upon said plunger, en'actualingarm carried by said plunger, and extending into one of said tracks, a ,Q'Ilj'flfillfl' blflfili can ricd by said casing for moving said plunger in unison therewith, a timing mechanism supported from said reservoir for controlling heating said conveyor-tubes.

' the movcnmot of said plunger, means carried -1 by said casing for actuating said timing l crvoircarried within said casing, a plurality 1 mechanism. moans located in said casing for arouse moving said plungerrcarwardl 17, means its cated Within said casing for heating said conveying tuhas, and means whereby easy access may fluid to said casing and reset: vorr. A

3. In a lubricator, the combination with tracks, of a lubricatmg casing mounted ad- {acent to said tracks, a lubricant-reservoir oceted in said casing, lubricant-convey' tubes connecting said reservoir with the ra lil of said tracks, a plunger-head mounted in said reservoir, a toothed plunger carried by said head, a reciprocatory casing mounted upon said plunger, an actuating-arm carried by said casing, and extending into one of the rails of'said track, a grippingblock carried by said casing for moving said plunger, a timing' mechanism for normally supportin said gripping-block out of enga emcnt Wit said plunger and releasing sai block at a predetermined time, means carried by said casing for actuating, said timing mechanism, means for preventing a rear movement of said lunger, means located within said cosing or moving said plunger rcarwardly, means for protecting said conveyor-tubes, and means located Within said casing for 4. In a lubricator, the combinationwith l tracks, of a lubricator-casing, a lubricantreservoir located therein, lubrlscantvconvey ing tubes connecting said reservoir with said tracks, a plunger. for ITIOVlIlf QlllCl lubricant from said reservoir into said tubes, areciprocatory casing mounted upon said plunger,

en actuating-arm carried bysaid casing and actuating from one of said tracks, means car ried by said casing for gripping said plunger, e timing mechanism carried by said reservoir for controllingsaid means, means located within said casing for moving said plunger rearwardly, a brakingmech anisni controlhng the rearward movement of said plun er, means for protecting said conveyor-tn es, and means located within said casing for heating said tubes. l 5. In a lubricator, the combination with tracks, of a lubricatcircasing, a lubricantreservoir mounted therein, protected lubricant-conveying tubes connecting said reser; voir with said, tracks, a plunger for moving the contents of said reservoir, a reciprocatorjf I casing mounted upon said plunger, an actu- 1 sting-arm carried by said casing, and actu-' atcdirom one of said tracks, means carried by said casing for gripping said plungon a timing mechanism carried by said reservoir for controlling said means, a braking mcchanism com rolling the rearward movement of said plunger, and means located within said casing for moving said plunger rcnrwardly. (3. in a lubricuton'thc combination with curvcd :racks, of u lubricating casing, lxloul'llml adjacent lhcrcto, n luluicsmt-rcsi5. tubes. connecting ,said reservoir with said [of tubes connecting said reservoir with said tracks, a plunger fb'r'moving the lubricant of said reservoir into said tubes} means carried for moving said. plunger, a timing rearwardly, a brakc mechanism controlling the rearward movement'of' said plunger, and

means for protecting said conveyer-tubes.

7. Ina lubricator, the combination with tracks, of a lubricating-casing, a lubricantreservoir mounted ,therein, a plurality of tracks, a .plunger -nounted in said reservoir f movingthe contents thereof into said it es,.m,eans carried by said plunger' and aytuatedfrom one'ofjsaid tracks for moving said plunger, a 1 timing mechanism actuate by said means-for controlling the movement 0 said plunger, means to move said plunger ervoir, and means for protect' said tubes.

8. ,A 'lubricator for street-railway tracks reservoir with the rails of said system, a plun-' .ger for-mov ng the contents of said reservoir into said tubes, 'means located within said casing and actuated from one of said rails for moving said' plunger, a 111mm mechanism actuated by said meanspfor controlling the movement of'said' plunger, means to move said plunger rearwardly, and means for protecting said tubes. v

9. A lubri cator for street-railway tracks', comprising a casing, a lubricant-reservoir located therein, tubes connecting said reser- -voir with, the curved rails of said track, a

plunger mounted in said reservoir for moving the contents thereof into said tubes, means locatedwithin said casing and actuated from one of sad curved rails for moving said plunger, a timing mechanism carried by said reservoir and actuated by said means for controlling the movement of-said plunger, and.

means for rotecting said tubes.

10. A in ricator for street-railway-tracks,

comprising a lubricant-reservoir, tubes connccting said reservoir with the curved rails ofsaid tracks, a plunger mounted in said reservoir tor moving the contents thereof into the v actuated from; one of sai curved rails for moving said plunger, a timing mechanism carried by said reservoir and actuated by said means for controlling the movement of said plunger, means to protect said reservoir, 'lunger, and timing mechanism, and means or protecting said tubes.

11. A lubricator for street-railway tracks,

comprising 'a lubricant-reservoir, a plurality of tubes connecting said reservoir with the railsof said tracks,means-for moving the contents of'said reservoir into said tubes,a' timing mechanism for controlling the firstnamed means, and means to protect said tubes said tubes, means carried b said plunger and '12. A lubricator for streetrailway tracks,-

comprising a lubricant-reservoir, tubes for conveying said lubricant'to the rails Qf'Sftld tracks, means for moving the contents of said reservoir into; said tubes at predetermined times, said nieansincluding a timing 7 I mechanism, and an actuating-arm operated rearwardly, means whereby. easy access may be had to said casing and said lubricant res from one of the rails of'said tracks 13. A lubricatorfor street-railway tracks,

comprising a lubricant-reservoir, lubricantconveying tubes connecting said reservo r with the railsmf said tracks,'means for foreing the contents of said reservoir into said tubes, said means including-a plunger actuated from one of the rails. of said tracks, and means for controlling the operation of said plunger.

' 14. A lubricator for street-railway tracks, comprising a lubricant-reservoir, lubricantconveying, tubes connecting said reservoir with the rails of said tracks, and means actuated by cars traveling over said tracks for forcing the contents of said reservoir through. .said tubes to said rails.

15. A lubricator for street-railway tracks, comprising a lubricant-reservoir, lubricantconve g means connecting said. reservoir with t e rails of said tracks, and means automatically actuated by cars traveling over said tracks ior'delivering lubricant from the reservoir through said conveying means to the rails of said tracks.

In testimony-whereof I affixmy sixnature in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE W; BLANK.

VVitnesses:' I i H. C; Evnnr,

' MAX 'snoLovirz. 

